“Our Vision at Hello Salamanca is to be at the forefront of Education Internationally” Our mission is to provide high quality education that delivers a transformative learning experience to all our pupils. Engaging and effective teaching based on our core values and the best, most up-to-date educational practice enables children at our school to achieve their academic ambitions and lifetime careers. At the same time, at Hello Salamanca we nurture their individual talents and emphasise the importance of educating the whole child with attention to their physical, emotional and social development. We are determined to make a positive difference to the future of our pupils and their families, the careers of our staff, as well as contributing to the wider community. Working towards our vision depends on defining a set of realistic and easily achieveable objectives. These five aims are important checkpoints that everyone should consider when important decisions have to be made. 1) To provide a learning environment that educates and develops the independent learning skills and attitudes that build self-confidence and encourage creativity.. Hello Salamanca High Level Strategic Aims: 2) To achieve consistently outstanding educational results for all our pupils, benchmarking ourselves against the best Language school . 3) To ensure that our pupils reach the highest levels of fluency and confidence in their use of the English language. 4) To prepare and equip pupils for employment and the demands of the future in a rapidly changing, dynamic and diverse global environment. 5) To promote and sustain a safe, caring, but challenging culture inside the classroom. We will achieve our goals by: Delivering a curriculum which is supported by evidence-based research and best-practice at the most successful independent schools in the Spain and abroad. Encouraging pupils to lead healthy lifestyles through diet, exercise and sport. Educating our students to be good citizens with values based on ethics. Promoting excellence in our schools by employing teaching professionals who are passionate, knowledgeable and highly skilled in their field. Investing in our staff through effective professional development, training, career planning and talent management. Ensuring effective governance and management of the Group and the school. Making the best use of resources and information to achieve and maintain an efficient, effective and sustainable business. Supporting and actively contributing to our local and wider communities Recognising and celebrating effort, achievement and excellence. Values and Beliefs The Values and Beliefs of Hello Salamanca underpin everything we do. They create an environment that helps our people, our pupils and their parents understand what Hello Salamanca stands for. How we treat one another at work, how we treat our customers. Our Values and Beliefs help us make sense of our working life and how we fit into the big picture. They are fixed and are unlikely ever to change. Honesty, Faith and Courage We believe in professional leadership. We value dedication and commitment. Our educational principles are founded upon traditional values, fostering self-confidence, tolerance and a sense of responsibility. All our pupils are entitled to a high-quality education, grounded in sensitivity to individual dignity, and a positive and nurturing environment. We promote outstanding teaching and learning. We recognise and celebrate academic excellence and achievement. High quality education is based on a collaborative approach to teaching. Innovation in teaching and learning should be informed by research and effective practice. Technology should be used to improve the quality of teaching and learning. We contribute to the lifelong education of individuals.
NEW YEAR´S
New Year’s is always a fun time for everyone, as the fun of Christmas has just ended, we have one more holiday where we can celebrate with family and friends! New Year’s is a holiday where we can look back at everything we have accomplished and done in the past year, and get ready to celebrate what is to come in the new year. A lot of people look at it as a new, fresh start, and some look at it as a time to continue their success they have had in the previous year. Usually this holiday is celebrated with family and friends, parties, food, drink, decorations, dressing up, etc. It is a very festive holiday that everybody loves. Not only do people have their own parties, but major cities like Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, and one of the biggest, New York City, throw huge parties that are broadcasted on TV with singers, dancers, performances, etc. Everyone always gets together on New Year’s Eve to watch the ball drop, which happens at midnight, and everyone goes crazy! Kissing, hugging, celebrating, and of course more partying! In the major cities, there are usually fireworks as well. Champagne is usually the drink that people have, as it is a drink made for celebrations. A lot of people also set goals for themselves for the new year that they would like to achieve. It is a wonderfully amazing holiday that keeps the holiday spirit alive after Christmas. Happy holidays and a happy New Year from the Hello!! family!
BENEFITS that Hello Salamanca CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION BRINGS TO OUR STUDENTS
For more than 2000 years, people around the world have been observing Christmas as a religious holiday. Christmas is a cultural and commercial phenomenon, respected with traditions and practices that are religious and secular as well. Not only the Christians, people from different faiths across the globe, celebrate Christmas. Centuries before Christmas began to be observed as the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ (the spiritual guide whose teachings laid the foundation of Christianity), middle of winter was being celebrated around the world. Europeans celebrated it with light in the darkest days of winter, rejoiced during winter solstice leaving behind the worst of the winter, looking forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight. Some Interesting Christmas Facts: Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the USA on June 26, 1870. The Orthodox churches of Greece and Russia, celebrate Christmas 13 days after the 25th December. This day is believed to be the one when the three wise men found infant Jesus in the cradle. During the Middle Ages (c. 1000 to 1453) Christmas celebrations were crude and blatant. During 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings. Around 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the USA alone. There are around 21,000 Christmas tree growers. Typically the trees grow for about 15years before they are sold. In Scandinavia, the Yule or Christmas used to be celebrated from December 21st, the winter solstice through January. People would burn logs and feast until the log burnt out which could take 12 days. Certainly, Christmas has been an age-old tradition. No matter which particular day it is observed, the spirit remained the same always. Joy, celebration, and welcoming of summer and bounty. Why Hello Salamanca Celebrates Christmas Christmas can bring an entertaining distraction from the study stress brought by the entire school year. The children feel excited, joyous. Hello Salamanca environment gets uplifted with the positive energy of delight and celebration. Even Hello super teachers feel excited about the much-coveted break from the teaching-learning cycle that goes on throughout the year. Even if it is for a short period. 1. Inculcate The Spirit Of Giving Christmas is all about celebration and offering. Students at Hello Salamanca, get to experience the joy of giving. Children are taught to make hand-made gifts for others. They take part in the food-drive, toy-drive or gift-drive to less fortunate ones focusing on their needs. 2. Special Learning For The Young Ones The youngsters, the first or second graders at Hello Salamanca, read about Santa, the winter solstice, winter holiday traditions throughout the world. The second graders at Hello Salamanca, learn writing friendly letters to Santa, not only asking for toys or gifts but also wishing something for the world. Peace for everyone for example, or help endangered animals, food for all, keeping the planet clean and green. This instills the spirit of consideration for others in their tender minds. 3.Unity In Diversity Hello Salamanca Students from different backgrounds participate in decoration and festivity. They learn the differences, and yet the bond of love, warmth, cheer and selflessness that bind mankind together. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our Hello Super Team!!
A DAY IN A LIFE OF AN EXECUTIVE TEAM MEMBER AT HELLO! ENGLISH SCHOOL
The day starts off quiet, with only the sound of typing coming from clever Isa’s desk as I make my way to the small entry hall containing only a few classrooms in Hello! I beamed at her as I walked in with a cheerful, “Hola!” I turn right before the desk, about to enter the cold, small classroom I do my work in. She takes a second before looking up to see that it is me. “Ah! Cath, it is you!” She always seems surprised to to see me even though my schedule is taped on the desk backboard that separates her from the rush of parents and students at all times of the day. “Did you have a good weekend?” “Of course, it was a whirlwind, per usual.” I smile and make my way into the room where Abby has already started the work of the day. White walls gleam around me as I sit across from her, grey and white desks lining the walls around us. I settle in, pulling out my Bryant issued laptop. Typing fills the air as we work steadily through radio outlines, blog posts, and media posts. Small voices and laughter filter through the walls, someone playing Simon Says in the room next to us. Sound is all around us, English and Spanish colliding. It is a busy day, and we just continue typing away in our little room.
Thanksgiving in the USA
A History It all started with a ship called the Mayflower in 1620. The people who decided to give everything up in the home country and sail across the sea became known as the pilgrims. All they desired was the ability to practice religion freely. After arriving in Massachusetts, the pilgrims struggled to survive for the first year that they were settled there for. After narrowly surviving through the first winter, the pilgrims were in desperate need of help. Luckily for them, along came a native who spoke English. He taught the settlers how to cultivate, or prepare, the land for growing corn. After the first corn harvest was successful in November, the governor declared that they would have a feast to celebrate, along with all the settlers and the natives who helped them. Today, the holiday is meant to be spent with family and friends, celebrating with good food and gratitude for all the things in life. Today Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving is a national holiday that centers around cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. About 90% of Americans eat Turkey,even though it might not have been offered at the first feast the pilgrims held in 1621. Some other typical foods found on the dinner table are stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. One tradition that has become popular is that the president of the United States pardons a turkey and sends it to live a full like on a farm rather than ending up on the dinner table. Volunteering and food drives for families that don’t have the means to provide their families with food is also one of the most heart warming tradition to have around Thanksgiving time. There is also the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, drawing millions of people in the streets as well as millions of viewers on television. American football also has some screen time during the few days off that most Americans have. This is also a time of savings, as everyone gets excited for Christmas as soon as the last plate is finished on Thanksgiving. Whereas it use to be one day, Black Friday spans the whole weekend, with endless deals and many people determined to get a jumpstart on their Christmas list. Above all else, the holiday is meant to give thanks and to feel gratitude for the people in each other’s lives.
3 Tips for Learning English
Learn Key Vocabulary and Phrases First Start by learning the most basic words and phrases that people use in everyday conversation! Questions and phrases about their day, where they live and work, how to ask for things at a restaurant or store, family, friends, times, dates, weather, etc. Learning key vocab words and phrases from any of these categories will help you tremendously—especially when you are just learning. Common Phrases and Questions ENGLISH SPANISH How are you? ¿Cómo estás? What is the date today? ¿Qué fecha es hoy? What is the weather today? ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? Where are you from? ¿De dónde eres? Where do you work? ¿Dónde trabajas? How much does this cost? ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? Can I have…? ¿Puedo tener…? I would like… Quisiera…/Me gustaría… Ask Questions When You Don’t Understand Ask when you don’t understand something someone said, ask when you don’t know how to say a certain word, ask when you’re reading something and don’t know a certain word, just ask! If you don’t ask then you will miss a learning opportunity, because otherwise how will you know!? Also, if you need to—look up words in the dictionary if there is no one to ask. Practice, Practice, Practice!! Of course you can take classes to help you learn a language better, but what can you do outside of the classroom? Practice by watching the TV in English (or with English subtitles), read in English, listen to music, and talk in English whenever you can! The only way to learn is to surround yourself with the language! Another great way to practice is to study abroad in a country where they speak it! Study abroad is always a great way to learn the language and culture of another country!
Why should you learn a new language?
English is becoming more and more prominent throughout the world, turning into the universal language. It is the language of internet, finance, and air traffic control. But why learn a new language? It has more benefits than just being able to communicate with someone in another country. John McWhorter at TED2016 states four important reasons why you should learn any new language. According to McWhorter, language channels your thoughts, meaning you language will mold how you think about things. How would you imagine a table to speak? It is feminine so would it not make sense for it to have a high pitched, womanly voice? Your language allows you to imagine whatever you can. Thought and reflecting leads to a worldview that can be expressed in whatever language you know. Learning a second language enhances your worldview. Another reason McWhorter brought up was that it allows people to truly indulge in a culture. When you have to search for for someone who speaks your language, you miss out on all the people who would make the experience richer and more vibrant. Not knowing the language is like looking at everything through a opaque pane of glass. Bilingualism is also healthy. Studies have shown that people who know more than one language is less likely to get dementia and is a better multitasker. It also improves your memory and allows you to be more perceptive. The brain is a muscle and needs exercise. Switching between languages allows your brain to absorb more information and improve decision making skills. It also improves the grammar skills in your own language as you continue to review the grammar of other languages. Learning new languages is also fun. It is an exciting way to learn new words and a way of language that was hidden to you before. Here at Hello!, you can learn alongside a dedicated group of teachers who make every class memorable and exciting. It isn’t just conjugation after conjugation. It’s culture and diversity. (Espanol) ¿Por què debes aprender una idioma nueva? Ingles es mas grande en el mundo todos los días, se está volviendo una idioma universal. Es la idioma de internet, finanzas y control de tráfico aéreo. Pero, ¿por què aprender una idioma nueva? Tiene más beneficios que solo poder comunicarse con gente en otros países. John McWhorter de TED2016 declara cuatro razones importantes por las que aprender una idioma nueva. Según McWhorter, idioma canaliza tus pensamientos, lo que significa que tu idioma moldeará cómo piensas sobre las cosas. ¿Cómo te imaginas una mesa para hablar? Es femenino, por lo que ¿no tendría sentido que tuviera una voz femenina y aguda? Tu idioma te permite imaginar todo lo que puedas. El pensamiento y la reflexión llevan a una cosmovisión que puede expresarse en cualquier idioma que conozca. Aprender un segundo idioma mejora tu visión del mundo. Otra razón que McWhorter mencionó, fue que les permite a las personas realmente disfrutar una cultura. Cuando tiene que buscar a alguien que hable su idioma, se pierde a todas las personas que harían que la experiencia sea más rica y vibrante. No saber el idioma es como mirar todo a través de un panel de vidrio opaco. El bilingüismo también es saludable. Los estudios han demostrado que las personas que saben más de un idioma tienen menos probabilidades de desarrollar demencia y es una mejor multitarea. También mejora tu memoria y te permite ser más perceptivo. El cerebro es un músculo y necesita ejercicio. El cambio entre idiomas permite que su cerebro absorba más información y mejore las habilidades de toma de decisiones. También mejora las habilidades gramaticales en su propio idioma a medida que continúa revisando la gramática de otros idiomas. Aprender nuevos idiomas también es divertido. Es una forma emocionante de aprender nuevas palabras y una forma de idioma que antes estaba oculta. Aquí en Hello !, usted puede aprender junto con un grupo dedicado de maestros que hacen que cada clase sea memorable y emocionante. No es sólo la conjugación después de la conjugación. Es cultura y diversidad.
MyICEF Global Education Fair in Berlin, Germany
On Nov 3, 2018, Hello!! English School attended the annual MyICEF Global Education Fair in Berlin, Germany. It was a four day conference where our Director and CEO were happy to discuss their program to people from all different countries, and establish connections around the world. It was a wonderful experience and great way to gain networking opportunities with international educators and education agencies, and they are so happy that they got to meet so many educators and consultants during the weekend! During their presentation they talked about why people should choose the University of Salamanca and why they should choose Spain! They also mentioned USAL’s 800 year anniversary! Some of the most important things that they wanted to emphasis during their time at MyICEF was general information about the classes, and especially the affordability, safety, and accommodations of the whole experience. Of course, they also mentioned the buddy program that is offered, in order to appeal to more people. At the end, they gave everyone brochures all about USAL and why they should choose Salamanca! It was a wonderful weekend, and we are so happy Hello!! English School could be apart of it representing the University of Salamanca! We are honored that they were able to share everything about what makes us great and unique, and gain so much knowledge from other educators as well. Check out the pictures from the event!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
WHAT IS IT? Happy October! As some of you may know, the entire month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This campaign is known all around the world because it is internationally recognized. Many organizations and charities around the world use this month to raise even more awareness than they already do, and try to increase the donations and money raised for the prevention and research of the disease. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? There are always many ways people can help during this month (and every month)! There are big things you can do to help and also very little things you can do–but both will make a huge difference. Of course, one of the main things you can do is donate money to charities and organizations in order to help them with their research and prevention of the disease. Also, possibly some of the most popular events during this month are all of the races/walks, that towns and cities hold all around the world (including many in Spain as well)! This is a great way to raise money from family and friends, while also participating in the event together along with many other people who also want to make a difference. It is definitely a good way to bring a lot of people together who are all participating for a good cause. SOME FUN FACTS The official color of the ribbon for Breast Cancer is pink, which is why you will see a lot of people wearing that color during the course of the month, during the walks/races, and sometimes even painting pink ribbons on their hands. All of this to raise awareness. Many famous places all around the world will also participate in showing the color pink. For example, the White House has illuminated the color pink over the entire house before, and also here in Salamanca, the color pink can be seen illuminated over the main clock area of the Plaza Mayor! Abstract: Feliz Octubre! Como algunos de ustedes pueden saben, el mes todo de Octubre es el mes de La Conciencia del Cáncer de Mama. Esta campaña está conocida alrededor del mundo porque está reconocido internacionalmente. Muchas organizaciones y caridades alrededor del mundo usan este mes a concienciar más sobre esta cosa, más que se saben todavía y tratar a aumentar los donativos y dinero recaudado por la prevención de la enfermedad. Hay muchas cosas que uno se puede hacer para ayudar, incluyendo la recaudación de dinero, y participar en los paseos por el Cáncer de Mama. También, muchas ciudades iluminan por la enfermedad, ¡incluyendo La Casa Blanca y La Plaza Mayor aquí en Salamanca!
Halloween
Introduction Happy Halloween from Hello!! On October 31 every year is the celebration of Halloween. Only about three countries officially celebrate Halloween (United States, Ireland, and Canada), but many countries have started to adopt the holiday and the fun traditions that come along with it. There are also many countries that celebrate El Día de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—on November 2, which is a celebration that is a bit different. Either way—October is a very festive time of the year! History and Traditions Even though Halloween is technically the eve of All Hallow’s Day, most people tend to just know about and celebrate the actual day of Halloween itself, as it is a very fun time for both kids and adults. The most popular thing during Halloween is the trick-or-treating, where children go door to door in different costumes at night, and collect candy at each house. Along with this, some other popular traditions include decorating houses, carving pumpkins, going on haunted hayrides, watching scary movies, attending Halloween parties, etc. It is a very fun and festive time of the year during the fall season, which is why so many people in different countries have begun to celebrate it as well. On Día de los Muertos, originally celebrated in Mexico, people focus on the celebration of life and remember their loved ones who have died. They visit the graves of their family and friends and decorate them with pictures, flowers, fruits, etc. They will also build altars and decorate those as well with decorated skulls, flowers, and other things that the deceased liked. It is the most popular in Mexico, however many other Latin American countries celebrate it too such as Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala and more. Introducción ¡Feliz Halloween de Hello! En el 31 de Octubre todos los años es la celebración de Halloween. Solo tres países oficialmente celebran Halloween (Los Estados Unidos, Irlanda y Canadá), pero muchos países han empezado a adoptar la fiesta y las tradiciones divertidas que vienen junto con la fiesta. Hay también muchos países que celebran El Día de Los Muertos en el 2 de Noviembre, cual es una celebración que es un poco diferente. ¡De cualquier manera—Octubre es un tiempo del año muy festivo! Historia y Tradiciones Aunque Halloween es técnicamente la víspera del Día de Todos Hallow’s, la mayoría de personas tienden a solamente saben y celebrar el día real de Halloween en sí, porque es un tiempo muy divertida para ambos niños y adultos. La cosa más popular durante Halloween es el “dulce o truco”, donde los niños van puerta a puerta en disfraces diferentes en la noche, y recogen dulces a cada casa. Junto con esto, algunas otras tradiciones incluyen decorar las casas, tallar calabazas, pasando en paseos embrujadas, mirar películas de miedo, etc. Es un tiempo muy divertido y festivo del año durante la temporada de otoño, por lo que tantas personas en países diferentes han empezado a celebrar también. En Día de los Muertos, celebrado originalmente en México, la gente enfocan en la celebración de la vida y recordar a sus seres queridos que han muerto. Ellos visitan las tumbas de su familia y amigos y las decoran con las fotos, flores, frutas, etc. También, ellos construirán altares a decorar esos también con cráneos decorados, flores, y otras cosas que el difunto le gustaba. Es la más popular en México, sin embargo, muchos otros países Latinoamericanos celebran esta fiesta también como Brasil, Ecuador, Guatemala y más.
